Page 27 of Kentucky Nights
Kentucky rolls his lips together, lifting me to my feet to help me stand. “Are you okay, Darlin’?” he kindly asks, pushing my hair behind my ear again as if he is transfixed.
“Why can’t you answer a simple question? I don’t understand you, Kentucky.”
“Because the answer I have, you don’t want. It’s easier for you not to know.” He grabs the lemonade I brought him, downing the rest of the cold liquid. A few drops of condensation fall onto his beard from the glass as he has it tilted. I’m entranced by watching his throat move with every swallow.
Time slows right before my eyes as I become transfixed on Kentucky.
The muscles in his neck are so defined, and with every contraction of muscle, my mouth becomes drier, and an urge inside me becomes hungrier. I lick my lips, witnessing the condensation fall onto his beard. I hold my breath and hope he can’t hear the catch with every inhale.
His lips are still wet, and his tongue flicks out, tracing his mouth to gather all the goodness I wish I could taste. His hand rises, and just when I think he’s going to wipe his mouth across the top of his knuckles, he dips into the front pocket of his T-shirt and yanks out a handkerchief.
Of course, he has a handkerchief.
Still, I’m spellbound by how he wipes his mouth. Kentucky runs the cloth down his beard to gather the droplets my dry throat had been thirsty for.
Why do I find myself wishing I were that damn handkerchief?
He tucks the used cloth back into his pocket and pauses, his nostrils flaring as he scents the air, and his eyes shift to the brutal, unrelenting red.
Crossing my arms over my chest as I watch him, my infatuation grows, and I forget why I was getting angry athim. I’ll remember eventually. How can anyone expect me to remain level-headed when he has his damn cowboy hat on, shirt stretched tight across his torso, and leather chaps over his jeans?
He makes it very difficult to focus and remember that I hate vampires.
His fangs descend, and the sudden urge to feel them break the tender flesh of my neck has heat pooling between my legs.
“Apologies, Dru. I can smell…” He clears his throat and turns away, walking toward a stall. “Doesn’t matter.”
“My blood?” Flashes of the bite marks all over my body remove any lust that had possessed me for that minute.
“Amongst other things,” he growls, cutting those glowing eyes at me. “I think it’s best if you go inside, Dru. You need to rest. The vampire who kidnapped you is still out there, right?” The hinges to the stall door creak when he opens it.
“There you go, thinking you know what’s best for me. Again. I decide that. Not you.”
“Darlin’, I’ve been around these parts a long time. I think I know what’s best and what’s not.” He whistles to the horse in the stall.
“You have been alone out here for way too long to know what is best for someone. Typical man thinking he knows better than everyone else.” I place my hands on my hips, debating if I should stake him right through the heart to end this back-and-forth nonsense.
“Come on, Romeo. We need to change your shoes.” Kentucky grabs the lead, a long black rope, and tugs. Large steps send vibrations through the ground before a giant horse comes walking out of the stall.
I inhale, rushing backwards when I take in the size of the beast. That’s the biggest horse I’ve ever seen. His coat is a glossy onyx, deep as the night is long, with a long, wavy mane. How big and gorgeous this animal is, isn’t what has me shaking in fear.
I’m not sure what happens to my body. Everything freezes. My entire body is locked in place, trembling in absolute terror from the sight before me. The horse’s large, scarlet-burned coals bear into me. The entire eye is encompassed in red, no white corners, no pupils, just endless pools of blood.
He neighs, his top lip curling up, and that’s when I spot the fangs.
“He-he-he has fangs!” I stammer, pointing my finger at the creature as if I’m accusing him of a crime. “He’s…he’s…” I can’t finish my sentence because I can’t seem to catch my breath. “Can’t be possible,” I whisper in disbelief.
“Dru, it’s alright,” Kentucky tries to soothe me with the horse by his side. “Hey, look at me. Dru.” He cups my cheek, his thumb swiping away the tears as I stare at the towering demon. “My Darlin’ Girl, look at me.” His voice is soft and gentle, smooth like silk dragging across my skin. The baritone of his timbre speaks into veins and finds the very part of my mind where the fear lives. “You’re safe. I’m not going to allow you to be hurt. I will never put you in harm’s way. You’re safe with me. I’m going to protect you, Dru.”
The horse hangs his head, almost as if he is trying to appear smaller. The motion breaks me from my trance, and I cautiously slide my gaze to Kentucky.
His worrisome brown eyes awaken me as I look into them. How could someone so kind have danger lurking under their skin?
“There you are,” Kentucky smiles, showing straight white teeth. “How are you feeling? Do you need to sit down?”
I shake my head, clearing my throat. “No. I’m fine. I’m so sorry. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that vampires exist, which means other paranormal creatures exist, and it’s a lot to take in. He looks like Lucifer’s pet.”
The big demon neighs, pawing the ground in protest.
